Local Food Systems Journal

This is our collection of news, articles, interviews, videos, and other ideas that we've found related to Local Food Systems. We'll accept any article that connects to this concept. Some will be about farming, others about food, some where the "local" suggests small communities here in Michigan where we live, and still others whose "local" is in Europe or Asia. The idea is to connect the dots for the ongoing conversation of Local Food Systems wherever they may be, so we can be better informed.

We put these here in one place after weeding through the chaff. We provide what's interesting and pertinent while excluding purely promotional materials. You should feel confident when you click on one of these links that it won't lead you through some spammy, scammy, adventure before you get to the heart of the matter.

We thank you for tuning in and suggest that you subscribe to the topic so you'll get daily updates from us. Also, feel free to suggest content for inclusion.

Christopher Leonard, author of the recently released book The Meat Racket, joins the News Hub with an investigative look at how four companies muscled their way to controlling America's meat supply. Photo: Getty.

Bill Palladino - MLUI's insight:

Where do you get your meat? Well actually, where does your butcher get your meat? That's the question answered by Christopher Leonard. Is there a monopoly of meat producers controlling our meat supply? Um, yup.

Originally published as The Cow Economy in the 1970s, Keeping a Family Cow is the revised and updated Chelsea Green edition of Joann Grohman’s classic homesteader guide to owning a family cow. In this adapted article below, Grohman – who, at 85, still milks her cow daily – walks newcomers through the economics, and the …

Bill Palladino - MLUI's insight:

I remember seeing this book many years ago in a "hippie" bookstore in Minneapolis. Good to see it being revived.

Like football, pop music, and democracy itself, pizza follows in the long American tradition of things that began overseas before the United States imported, violently altered, and eventually defined the institution.

Bill Palladino - MLUI's insight:

I grew up in the Bronx. This is something akin to suggesting we breathe air.

JetBlue and GrowNYC have partnered to bring a farmers market to JFK's Terminal 5 through October 31st. (Yes. Farmer's Markets in airports. At least now the fringe religions won't be the only booth selling flowers.

Bill Palladino - MLUI's insight:

Look closely here and you'll see a bike-powered smoothie mixer, and a bee hive! Wonder what TSA had to say about all those potential threats!

We've talked about why you should have more than one cooking oil in your kitchen, but this graphic breaks down the differences between them nicely. It shows you smoke points for common oils, and their most popular uses, all in one good-looking chart.

South Brooklyn distilleries produce with local passionNew York PostNow hopping on the borough's artisanal bandwagon are small-batch distillers, who are producing local whiskey, rum and other spirits all along the East River.

Bill Palladino - MLUI's insight:

Brooklyn today is the Silicon Valley of foodies. Great stuff happening there on all levels.

According to some US health experts, eating too much sugar can be as bad for you as smoking or drinking a lot of alcohol. This video from TED Ed explains just what sugar does to your brain and body—and why it's so addictive.

Why one restaurateur bought a farm in rural New York Upstart Why one restaurateur bought a farm in rural New York. Enlarge Image ». Roslyn and David Zecchini bought a farm to supplement their supply of fresh produce.

Bill Palladino - MLUI's insight:

A restauranteur gives back to his customers, and community by purchasing a farm.

element Colored chicks at a market in Amman, Jordan (Ali Jarekji/Reuters)In a popular gesture of transparency-in-advertising this week, McDonald's gave the world a walking tour of its McNugget creation process.

Bill Palladino - MLUI's insight:

You know that plot element in Walking Dead that never comes up? It's the origins of the plague that started it all. Yeah, well I think I just figured it out.

NPR (blog)DC Barbecue Joint Serves Food For Soul And MindNPR (blog)Chef Furard Tate is the kind of man who never sits still.

Bill Palladino - MLUI's insight:

A terrific philosophy of food within the brief piece. "When an adult realizes that a young person took that process and is actually learning how to make everything, it actually means even more, because it reminds us that: My education started at home," he says.

Esther won the hearts of the men who adopted her, and they're sharing her story in hopes of inspiring others to see animals as more than meat.

Bill Palladino - MLUI's insight:

I used to raise pigs on my farm. They were smart, with real personalities, like dogs. We had to create a separation of roles so that my partner fed and cared for them, while I would step in to dispatch them when the time came. And this was usually when she was out to town. But, never, ever did they step foot in our home.

Recently, the subject of the varying quality of pizza by region has been raised, thanks in part to discussions of Washington, D.C., which has been accused, disparagingly and incorrectly, of being unable "to produce a single decent slice of pizza."...

Bill Palladino - MLUI's insight:

There are some of us, who cut our pizza teeth in the heart of this belt who would strongly disagree with its breadth. And the truth of the matter resembles more a "pizza thread" connecting a few, select, joints from Staten Island through Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.

GMO labeling: Is the fight worth it?Washington PostThere are a few other things I think we should keep in mind: 1. We already know if we're eating GMOs. Answering one simple question will ... First, the whole foods.

Bill Palladino - MLUI's insight:

The Washington Post has a great article today on whether to keep pushing the edges of the GMO labeling debate.

Sharing your scoops to your social media accounts is a must to distribute your curated content. Not only will it drive traffic and leads through your content, but it will help show your expertise with your followers.

Integrating your curated content to your website or blog will allow you to increase your website visitors’ engagement, boost SEO and acquire new visitors. By redirecting your social media traffic to your website, Scoop.it will also help you generate more qualified traffic and leads from your curation work.

Distributing your curated content through a newsletter is a great way to nurture and engage your email subscribers will developing your traffic and visibility.
Creating engaging newsletters with your curated content is really easy.